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Period: 476 to 1400
Medieval Period
This period is often called the Middle Ages because of its unique position in between the ancient and modern worlds. -
1026
Guido of Arezzo's Micrologus
A treatise by the original inventor of solflege, the Micrologus discusses the teaching and singing of Gregorian chant, while also exploring the composition of polyphonic music. -
Period: 1098 to 1179
Hildegard of Bingen
A German abyss, she claimed to have to have divine inspiration, allowing her music to be appreciated at a time when women were not normally allowed access to musical training. -
1322
Ars Nova Treatise
A treatise associated with Philippe de Vitry, it exhibits a new style of French music that is much more decorative than before, a style that introduces isorhythym. -
Period: 1400 to
Renaissance Period
A period in which it appeared the arts were "reborn" after the turmoil of the late Medieval Period. -
1527
Ein Feste Burg
Written by Martin Luther, this is one of the best known chorales written for the Lutheran church. It became the anthem of the Revolution. -
1538
Il Bianco e Dolce Cigno
A madrigal written by Jacques Arcadelt, easily one of the most famous. -
1567
Pope Marcellus Mass
Written by Pierluigi da Palestrina, legend has it that this composition saved polyphony from being banned by the Council of Trent. -
Missa O Magnum Mysterium
Composed by Tomás Luis de Victoria, it is a similar style to Palestrina but with greater emotional intensity. -
Period: to
Baroque Period
This musical period marked a time of emotional expression, theatrical embellishments, and heavily ornamented music. -
L'Orfeo
An opera composed by Claudio Monteverdi, based on the Greek legend of Orpheus. -
First Public Concerts In England
Public concerts were introduced to England by the violinist John Banister at his home in Whitefriars. -
Period: to
Johann Sebastian Bach
A now famous German composer and musician of the Baroque period. -
L'Estro Armonico
Meaning "the Harmonic Inspiration," this set of twelve concertos for string instruments by Antonio Vivaldi is a great representation of his adaptation of Torelli's ritornello form. -
The Well-Tempered Clavier volume 1
This publication includes JS Bach's best-known works for keyboard. He explores playing in every single key in this book. -
Traité de L’Harmonie
Meaning "Treatise On Harmony," this publication won Jean-Philippe Rameau his reputation as an incredible music theorist. -
Period: to
Franz Josef Hadyn
Hadyn was a universally admired composer during his lifetime. -
Messiah
This oratorio, which premiered in Ireland, became Handel's most famous work. -
Period: to
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
A child prodigy turned freelance composer, Mozart lived a short and eventful life. -
Period: to
Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges as Director of Concerts des Amateurs
His compositions during this time were of crucial relevance for the two main genres of French instrumental music. -
Period: to
Viennese Classical Period
During this time in which Vienna represented the link between different Western cultures, classical music made unprecedented advances. -
Don Giovanni
Mozart took a typically comic opera subject and turned it into a serious character, bridging between the two genres of Italian opera. -
Symphony No. 4 "Surprise"
Hadyn included an unexpected fortissimo crash in this symphony to keep the audience engaged in his music.